Vacationing in North Carolina Please HELP!!!!!!!!! (Raleigh, Wilmington: oceanfront, rentals, how much)

[ksammon]

My boyfriend and i would like to take a Vacation but, I'm at a lost on where to go. I don't want to break the bank but i would like a nice quiet place. I would like to go to the Outer Banks but the few places i found where like $300 a night we couldn't afford that. If not the Outer Banks then can i have a few ideas ?? We both live in the Raleigh area

Thanks

[jbc31979]

Emerald Isle is pretty nice up around the Atlantic Beach area.

[CHTransplant]

Or try one of the areas that is focused more on hotels and less on house rentals. (e.g., Myrtle Beach)

[pipsky]

Hyco and Kerr lakes are pretty nice and low budget....

[Bmateo]

You didn't say that it had to be the beach. Not sure if this will help, but the mountains are great. You can have a very quiet time, and if you're into outdoors activities, there is a ton to do. Go near Asheville or Boone/Blowing Rock and there are great restaurants too.

Not sure how "on the cheap" you want to go, but there are some really nice campgrounds there. It makes for a romantic weekend (If your into that sort of thing) and is fun. But if you're not into that, there are hotels too.

Just throwing out a completely alternative idea. Hope it helps.

[VSB]

Originally Posted by ksammon

My boyfriend and i would like to take a Vacation but, I'm at a lost on where to go. I don't want to break the bank but i would like a nice quiet place. I would like to go to the Outer Banks but the few places i found where like $300 a night we couldn't afford that. If not the Outer Banks then can i have a few ideas ?? We both live in the Raleigh area

Thanks

You didn't mention how much you can spend or how long you want to be there.

However:

1. It's a down economy. Since you don't seem to care exactly where you end up, it'll suit to you look for last minute deals. Are you comfortable negotiating? If so, you could probably score a deal on a currently vacant house rental for the upcoming weekend (i.e. pick a weekend/week you're interested in traveling, and start looking at vacant home rentals the week prior). For the weekend of 7/25, here's a home through Southern Shores (which is in Southern Shores), Southern Shores House, that is listed for $1410 for the week. Has 4 bedrooms! More than you need obviously, but if the price is right, why not. That's roughly $200/night (again, not sure what you can afford). In this economy, you should be able negotiate $200/night down to $150/night (particularly if you take it for the week). OR, you could offer something in between for a few days (e.g. 4 days at $175/night). Check out the typical outer banks realtors (google it, it's easy).

2. Buy a copy (or go to the library) of Glen Morris' North Carolina Beaches and read up. That will help you zero in on what interests you.

3. In general, Duck and Corolla are on the high end with regards to price. Southern Shores is older and just north of the bridge. Probably less of a sanctuary but still plenty nice. Once you're south of Southern Shores, you're in true "strip mall" territory (in general). There are, however, good bargains to be had in Kill Devil Hills if you're willing to stay in a hotel. Here's an example: Days Inn Oceanfront Wright Brothers (Kill Devil Hills, NC). You could get that place for as low as $152/night based on my searches. Of course, there are plenty of cheaper places. It all depends on your standards, needs and wants.

4. If you go the hotel route, particularly in Kill Devil Hills or Nags Head or someplace similar, you should try priceline. The great majority of the hotels are two and three star operations. Select three star and name your price. Try $100/night or something absurd and see what happens . . . people get lucky all the time, particularly at the last minute when the rooms are otherwise going to be unsold.

5. If you want to try the southern beaches (i.e. not the outer banks), then try Wrightsville Beach, Emerald Isle, Topsail Beach, Surf City, et cetera. Some of these places (e.g. Surf City, Topsail) don't have many hotels. However, you could always peruse the vacation rental by owner listings (google it, there's one main website for this) or Craigslist and look at vacation rentals. People will be reasonable with you if you make reasonable offers.

Good luck!

[bellasformas]

You can probably find cheaper hotels in the Outer Banks...just not on most travel websites. You can also google Carolina Beach, and find some decent oceanfront hotels. My hubby and daughter stayed down there for around $140/night. Not fancy...but you're outside most of the time anyway.

[Francois]

We have many, many beaches (assuming you even want beaches) than the outer banks. Try Topsail (pronounced "TOP s'l), Atlantic Beach, Carolina Beach, or Ocean Isle, to name a few. Myrtle Beach, SC, which someone else mentioned, is too much of a "city" if you ask me.

Atlantic Beach has several hotels: The Clamdigger, the Sheraton, the Atlantis, and the Seahawk (the last two are very old and '60s retro; I've always wanted to stay at one of them just to see what they're like). It's on the same island as Emerald Isle but not quite so house-oriented and not as crowded. Pine Knoll Shores and Indian Beach are two other places there on that island.

Of course, if you're looking for something other than beaches, we have that, too.

[JQ Public]

I'd go to Asheville

[tluv00]

Wilmington and those beaches aren't very expensive and Myrtle Beach isn't either. That would be my suggestion.